Placing your loved one in a nursing home is one of life’s more difficult choices. Although there are emotional concerns that might weigh against such an arrangement, residence in a well-run nursing home staffed with skilled and kind workers can be exactly what is needed for an elderly or infirm relative to live comfortably and safely. However, when there are signs or suspicions of nursing home negligence or abuse, you need to take immediate and effective action.
Nursing home negligence is a failure to comply with the commonly accepted standard of care required of workers at these facilities. Examples of nursing home negligence include:
- Failure to provide adequate basic needs, such as food, water, clothing and personal hygiene
- Failure to provide necessary medications and medical services
- Failure to properly manage and supervise the facility
In the worst cases, mistreatment of nursing home residents involves physical or emotional abuse that goes beyond neglect.
Here are some signs that your loved one is not receiving proper care and might be suffering abuse:
- Unexplained injuries
- Noticeable decline in personal grooming
- Bedsores
- Bruises
- Dehydration
- Insomnia
- Malnutrition
- Personality changes
When you spot such evidence of mistreatment, you have legal remedies available. Whether neglect is caused by poor management, understaffing, insufficient training or something more nefarious, money damages can be recovered for the costs of medical treatment as well as for the pain and suffering your loved one has endured. In cases of gross negligence or intentional abuse, you may also be able to recover punitive damages.
Holding the parties at fault accountable can be problematic. The nursing home resident may be unable to speak for themselves or be fearful of retaliation if they do. As their representative, you cannot be there all the time to see what transpires. Nursing homes tend to look their best when visitation hours roll around. Consult with an experienced nursing home injury attorney to get advice on the best course of action for spotting and stopping mistreatment and seeking appropriate damages.
Your loved one deserves nothing less than proper care from the staff at the nursing home where they reside. For over 20 years, Goldberg Sager & Associates in Brooklyn has been a leading force in holding New York City nursing homes accountable for giving improper care to residents. Contact us online or call 718-645-6677 to schedule an initial consultation.
